Valentine's Day

So as usual these pictures are terribly out of order. The Saturday before Valentine's day we had a fun filled day of activities. We kicked the day off with our weekly gymnastics class where we are perfecting our acrobatic skills that she so innately comes by. As my mother puts it "Ash really has the "ta da" down pat! Oh the athletic genes in this family!

After gymnastics my darling husband took us to lunch at Joe's Crab Shack. Now to some - this may not seem to be the most romantic place but to this wife - it was a testament to my sweetie's memory. He took me for a valentine's dinner there the year that we got married and moved to Austin because it is right on the water of Town Lake and this year like that year - we sat outside in February and I was in Heaven! I am always one that cannot wait for the 1st warmth of spring and after having a snow day the week before and windy cold days - it was so refreshing to sit by the lake with my family and enjoy a great seafood lunch

After lunch we took little Miss to a Valentine's Doll Tea Party at Pottery Barn Kids. They had their names all written out and they read stories, ate cupcakes from Williams Sonoma, made Valentine's for their friends and drank Apple Juice tea!
(It was cute and she enjoyed it -but not near as cute as the tea party at Hemisphere that we attended last year but of course because that place was so cute - it closed! This one was FREE though - really can't beat FREE)

After a long day of fun... Miss A passed out in the car on the way home

Happy Heart Day to my loved ones!

These pictures are ones that Ash makes on my phone and then I find them as a sweet surprise!

Is she trying to tell me something?

Snow Day!

Snuggles with Bailey by the fire

Snow is extremely rare in the Hill Country so when we do get it - we stay home and enjoy it! We started off the day with pancakes and coffee. Then we bundled up in our version of snow gear and went outside to try to enjoy snow activities. This mainly consisted of eating snow and stomping around - there was not enough for a snowman or angel - but it didnt matter - we had fun no matter what!

The Big 36!

Big Birthday Hugs!

Hugging Cousin Tylee!

Of course it was Chris' birthday but Miss A got a present of a new dollhouse that was built just for her by Nana and Papa's friend John. It is beautiful and so custom! She loves it! She said her dolls are moving houses just like she is!

Hubby/Daddy turned 36 at the end of January. This is a very weird feeling for me as I can remember him turning 20 - that's right 16 years ago - and 16 + 16 = 32 which is my age - we have officially been together over half of my life - truly insanely amazing!

We had a wonderful weekend in Marble Falls with a gourmet dinner at Bart & Francine's house. Their home is beautiful and they were amazing hosts and many laughs and adult beverages were shared!

Happy Birthday Honey!!!! Here's too many many more!

To Market, To Market

Jam session at Helen & Dean's

Sweet little Bryce tuning his guitar!

Learning a chord from Dean

Ash was teaching Jamie how to use her i-phone

Crazy faces with CRAZY Uncle Ryan

In November I was cleaning house and lost the center stone out of my wedding ring. I was devastated. After 10.5 years on my hand - I felt naked! Yes, I looked everywhere - vacuumed, emptied the vacuum and dug in the bag, tore up the house - checked the dog poop - everywhere I tell ya (people give you too much advice on where they think it is) - so the stone was gone for good and I needed to replace it. Therefore we decided on a family trip to World Trade Market in Dallas in January hoping to get a good deal on a ring and getting to enjoy seeing our brothers and extended family in the meantime. I had not been to Market in 11 years - the last time I went was when I was engaged (coincidence?) and at that time I was there to buy cheap but cute goodies for our bridesmaids and groomsmen. Chris' mother, aunts and grandmother go twice a year, every year to look at all the latest home decor but due to graduate school - I was never able to join them. Oh lordy - did I wish I had stayed home - yes I had a beautiful ring designed but I exhausted my bank account on the most adorable clothes for Miss A! I was not a mommy last time and did not know the words "Sample Sale" - lordy the Fabulous Spring Fashions for my little Chicka! I drug Nana around for hours saying the words "That is sooo cute" Overall I had a wonderful day with GG, Tillie, Helen, Allie and Jamie and hope that my bank account allows a return trip in June for Fall and Winter fashions for my little diva! During my shopping adventure - Uncle Ryan, Blake and Daddy decided to fill little Miss A with loads of Sugar at Gattiland! Thanks!

During that weekend we also enjoyed staying with Tyler and Nikki and tearing up their lovely home as only a 4 year old can do! Ash loved playing with Max and using Tyler as a human jungle gym. We also had a wonderful dinner at Helen and Dean's house and enjoyed catching up with everyone!

Trips to Dallas are always jammed packed with family and we rarely get to see our friends but the main goal of a new ring (and lots of kiddo clothes) was accomplished!